Buffalo has spent far less money to nurture its sprawling parks system than other cities

— coming in dead last in per capita spending — and City Hall's new deputy parks

commissioner said Tuesday that some creative strategies must be pursued to fund improvements.

In her first meeting with the Common Council since she was appointed to the newly created

position, Susan M. Gonzalez also stressed the need to upgrade "pocket" parks as a way to

revitalize neighborhoods.

Gonzalez was tapped by Mayor Byron W. Brown for the $85,000-a-year job as part of the

city's decision to retake control of parks on Jan 1. The county had been managing the

facilities since 2004. Buffalo has about 190 parks, playgrounds and recreation centers.

Gonzalez said Buffalo ranks eighth among the nation's cities when it comes to the percentage

of land occupied by parks, yet has ranked dead last on a list of 150 municipalities in per

capita spending for parks.

By forming a series of unique partnerships, said Gonzalez, Buffalo might be able to

"right-size" its parks system by having nonprofit groups and other organizations assume

responsibility for some facilities.

"We just have so much parkland and park space," Gonzalez said.

The Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy continues to manage the six historic parks and

connecting parkways designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted in the 19th century.

The city has to finalize a long-term pact with the Conservancy, but Gonzalez said negotiations

are continuing as the group performs maintenance tasks under an earlier agreement.

She told six Council members who attended a Civil Service Committee meeting that "great

parks in good order" can promote investment in communities.

While Gonzalez stopped short of calling on the city to beef up funding for parks

initiatives, the mayor recently proposed two strategies that could channel more money into

parks projects. Brown wants to use $1.1 million in federal anti-poverty block grants to

improve neighborhood parks and recreational centers. The mayor has also talked about

dedicating some funds from the city's growing surplus to help pay for quality-of-life

improvements, including parks projects.

Some lawmakers asked Gonzalez about lean staffing in community centers. She said a newly

negotiated agreement with city unions will make it easier to use subcontractors and other

service-providers in various centers.

"We have a whole new territory to explore here," Gonzalez said of the city's greater

flexibility in helping to staff facilities.

South Council Member Michael P. Kearns urged Gonzalez to consider extending summer hours

at city-owned pools. The deputy parks chief said officials must review funding before making

any commitments.

Gonzalez is a familiar face in City Hall, having served as director of recreation in the

Community Services Department, executive director of the Buffalo Police Athletic League and

coordinator of special events in Buffalo.

Following Tuesday's discussion, Kearns — one of the Brown administration's harshest

critics — lauded Gonzalez as a "proactive" administrator with a demonstrated ability to

work with people.